Audit & Remove Yourself from Data-Collection Databases

Wired’s 27B Stoke 6 blog has posted some helpful info on how to audit and remove yourself from of some common data-collection databases (and annoying mailing lists):

If you have ever applied for health, life or disability insurance on your own, it’s likely the information about your health and lifestyle that you had to provide ended up in a database run by the MIB Group. The easiest way to check your record is by phone at 866.692.6901. The group will then mail you your report if they have one.

ChexSystems keeps tabs individual’s banking habits and sells that data to banks vetting new customers. Give them a call at 800.428.9623. They also run a system that keeps track of people who have reportedly passed a bad check. Track down that report here or make their phone jingle with this number: 800.262.7771.

Acxiom, another big data broker, will let you opt-out of their marketing database for free if you call 501-342-2722 and press 5. You can also ask them to send you a form that lets you check the non-marketing information they have on you. They won’t let you opt-out of this, and they will charge you $5 for the privilege. Be aware it could take them months to send out the report.

Stop some direct mail via the Direct Marketing Association’s web page. It’s free if you print it out and mail it in to them for hand processing, but costs $5 if you just want to do it online. That’s how much they like this opt-out list. DO NOT join the DMA’s phone or email opt-out list. That’s just begging for spam and telemarketing calls.

Stop almost all credit card and life insurance direct mail solicitations (this won’t stop ones from your own bank) by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT.